1st Place: Honda CR-V Hybrid
![c r v]()
The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid isn't new for 2026, but it sure feels like it.
Like a hamburger "dragged through the garden," to borrow some short-order diner-speak, our Sport Touring model had all the fixins. That includes a heated steering wheel and front seats, both with leather; a premium Bose audio system; a hands-free power tailgate; and--a feature that made a huge impact on the comparison--an acoustically laminated windshield and front side windows. The acoustic combo is only available on this trim (the top CR-V EX-L gas model gets the windshield treatment but not the door windows), and with an as-tested price of $44,155 (U.S. pricing - Platinum White Pearl paint accounted for $455 of that amount), the added serenity they bring was almost enough to seal the deal right out of the gate.
Early in the testing, the Honda began gaining accolades for its buttery ride, comparatively refined powertrain, fluid movements through the twisty sections, and pleasant and contemporary interior styling. As the drivers circulated through the vehicles long before compiling scores, associate news editor Jack Fitzgerald wondered: "How does Honda turn these ordinary ingredients into a tastier meal than the others?"
![2026 20crv 20trailsport 20interior]()
Rolling stock consisted of Michelin Primacy A/S tires mounted on 19-inch wheels, and while the CR-V Hybrid's 7.1-second dash to 60 mph tied the RAV4's for the quickest of the group, it sure seemed to enjoy leaping and running a bunch more. At 15.8 seconds in the quarter, it conceded five-tenths of a second to the RAV4, but at a lower 72 decibels under wide-open throttle, the CR-V was considerably quieter. The CR-V is also one decibel quieter at a 70-mph highway cruise; though it sounds inconsequential, the difference was palpable from the helm. Stopping required 182 feet from 70 mph, again falling within a negligible distance from the rest of the pack.
The EPA estimates the 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid AWD will return 40 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. Over the course of our testing, we landed at 35 mpg.
While we're fans of Honda's current interior designs, its standard 9.0-inch infotainment screen looks like an iPhone compared to the digital behemoths in the Subaru and the Toyota. Even the Mazda has a 10.3-inch screen. That said, it operates as it should, and it complements the interior rather than dominating it. One editor commented, "The CR-V's interior materials feel like a massive upgrade over the RAV4." However, we did notice that the front-seat headrests were uncomfortably hard. Still, the CR-V provides oodles of room for four occupants (five in a pinch), and its 41.0 inches of rear-seat legroom is a full 3.2 inches more than in the already-spacious RAV4.
HIGHS: Smooth linear acceleration, stylish and spacious interior, quietest of the bunch.
LOWS: A few more horsepower would go a long way, touchscreen is a tad small.
VERDICT: The CR-V's secret sauce is consistency, and that makes for great value.
